Valentine’s Day is looming but Billy Vunipola is a glowing advertisement for a different kind of love. Since the England head coach, Eddie Jones, placed an arm around his shoulder and told him he could rule the world one day the transformation has been profound. “I respond more to the love and compassion he shows the boys, me especially,” admits the Saracens’ No8. “I don’t need someone to shout at me, I just need someone to reassure me and look after me.”

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While not every 19st 11lb giant requires such sensitive handling, the 23-year-old is proof a juicy carrot can be equally as effective as a big stick. Only a few months ago the bullocking back-rower was part of an England squad that failed to do themselves justice in the World Cup. Since Jones has openly declared his faith and offered him a key role in the side there has been no looking back. When the Australian spoke of going out to Rome to “smack Italy” it was not hard to guess who he was talking about.

It could well be that Vunipola’s man-of-the-match award in the win against Scotland at Murrayfield is only the beginning. There are some outstanding rivals around – one of them, Italy’s Sergio Parisse, awaits in Rome on Sunday – but Jones insists Vunipola could surpass them all. Crucially, he has also encouraged Vunipola to believe that the inspirational Parisse, Taulupe Faletau, Jamie Heaslip and Louis Picamoles can be overtaken. “Eddie has been really good for me since he came in. He has just filled me with confidence and that’s something I thrive on. Everyone else is a bit different and quicker and more agile but I’m working every day to get better and to try and get closer to those at the top. They’re very good players and I want to be in that same bracket.”

The pre-tournament bonding sessions insisted upon by Jones also seem to be having a beneficial effect. His squad are not suddenly downing five pints every night but they do seem to be more comfortable in a slightly freer off-field environment. “It’s something you can’t really measure or see but I definitely think it works,” confirms Vunipola. “You’re more comfortable with someone you work alongside when you know what interests them, or what you can do to help them. We have had a few bonding sessions … it works better when you have a relationship with someone rather than just rocking up and playing for England. It’s important for me to know what they are about, what motivates them, whether it’s their family or scoring tries. Hopefully it’ll work for us in the long run. Maybe if we end up winning the trophy then you can take that into account. But that’s a big maybe. We’ve just got to keep working hard.”

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Win in Rome and, with two home games to follow against Ireland and Wales, English optimism will be further buoyed compared with a few months ago. Vunipola, whose World Cup was curtailed by injury, was as disappointed as anyone by how the tournament turned out for the hosts but his response has been to go away and concentrate even harder on his fitness. The one-time junk food lover is a more disciplined athlete these days. “I’m always working on that aspect of my game, to improve on my fitness so that I can do what I do for the whole 80 minutes, not 60 minutes like people might think. We were disappointed about the World Cup but I think things like that happen for a reason. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

The vice-captaincy, shared with Mike Brown and Owen Farrell, has been another boost as he seeks to eclipse the achievements of his father Fe’ao, who won 32 caps as a hooker for Tonga and played in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. Six of his uncles and his grandfather also represented Tonga, while his older brother Mako is a fellow member of England’s current squad.

Sometimes Vunipola junior oversteps the mark by trying to “gee up” his sibling before a scrum – “If Billy does that, I give him a death stare,” reveals Mako – but playing together clearly means a lot to both of them. “It’s fun playing with your brother,” agrees Billy. “Not many people get to do it at international level.” There is a softer side to Vunipola but Italy may struggle to locate it this Valentine’s weekend.